Whether you are a teacher or parent you can follow our 5 part series of Lesson Plans on Mindfulness for kids to instill the powerful habit of mindfulness meditation in kids at a young age. In this series, each lesson plan focuses on a specific aspect of mindfulness and includes activities and worksheets to practice the concept of the lesson. This is a progressive series on how to teach mindfulness to kids and we recommend you to follow the series in order as each lesson lays the foundation for the next lesson.
In this fifth lesson of the series, students will learn imagery meditation using some of the mindfulness anchors they have learned about in previous lessons.
Lesson 5: Guided Imagery Meditation
Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students will continue practicing mindfulness exercises. For today’s exercise, they will try a guided imagery meditation and practice using some of the mindfulness anchors they have learned about in previous lessons.
Lesson Setup:
For this lesson, you will need to read the guided imagery script aloud to students. Click here to download the guided imagery script. If this is your first time leading a guided meditation, you may want to practice reading it aloud prior to the lesson. Try to speak slowly and use a low, calming tone.
In order to maximize the effect of the activity, you may choose to prepare the room with low lighting, soft music, or blankets and pillows.
Guided Imagery Script
Lesson Activities:
- Begin the lesson with a brief discussion about what students have learned so far about mindfulness. Have students reflect on the different anchors they have used (their five senses, breathing, and positive affirmations). Tell students that today, they will be trying a longer mindfulness practice called “guided imagery meditation”.
- Explain that for this activity, students will close their eyes and listen to the words you say. They will imagine themselves going to a beautiful place, and they will practice being aware the whole time.
- Remind students that it’s natural for their minds to wander sometimes, but they can always bring it back to the meditation. Allow them some time to choose an anchor that they like best—one of their senses, their breathing, or a positive affirmation. That will be the anchor that they can return to if they find themselves getting distracted during the meditation.
- Have students find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. If you choose, you may have them get blankets or pillows to really get cozy.
- Once students are settled in a comfortable position, read the guided meditation script aloud. Remember to use a low, calm voice as you read.
- Once the guided imagery meditation is complete, slowly bring students’ awareness back to the room by reminding them of their breathing, their five senses, or their affirmations. You can slowly turn on the lights and have students return to their normal seats.
- Invite students to share their experiences with the meditation, if they choose. Remind them that losing awareness is okay—if this was their first meditation, it may be very difficult to stay aware the entire time. You can remind them that mindfulness isn’t something that can be mastered right away; instead, it’s something they can practice—even on their own.
Questions for Further Discussion:
- How did you feel during the guided imagery meditation?
- Did you use any of your anchors to help you stay aware?
- Was it easier or more difficult to stay aware during the meditation than you expected? Do you think it will get easier with time and practice?
